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Vocational training in Germany (Ausbildung)

Office management clerk (Kaufmann/Kauffrau für Büromanagement)

Kaufmann für Büromanagement / Kauffrau für Büromanagement

You organise the administrative work of a company or public body: a 3-year training, paid from the first year, with two electives to choose from.

Check my eligibility →I already have B2

LevelBaccalaureaterequired

Duration3 years36 months

GermanB2required level

Pay during training€1,161 to €1,342gross / month, during the training

The occupation in 30 seconds

What an office management clerk does

They organise and coordinate office tasks: customer relations, order handling, purchasing, support with personnel tasks and management tools, with electives depending on the employer.

Organise

Plan office tasks, manage information and coordinate work between departments.

Serve customers

Follow customer relations, process orders and document exchanges with care.

Manage

Contribute to purchasing, personnel-related tasks and management monitoring, using software well.

Is this occupation for you?Advantages and difficulties

This occupation is for you if…

you like organising, filing and planning methodically
you are comfortable with computers and office software
you enjoy working with colleagues and customers
you want a versatile job found in every sector

Less suitable if…

you do not like working in front of a screen for much of the day
you struggle with repetitive administrative tasks
you want a mainly manual or outdoor job

Advantages

Versatile training, useful in every sector
Two electives to choose from ten areas
Qualification recognised throughout Germany
Jobs in companies and the public sector

Difficulties

A lot of time spent in front of a screen
Administrative tasks that can be repetitive
Business and administrative vocabulary in German
Versatility required across many subjects

Day to day

A typical day and the key skills

A typical daySkills and qualities

08:00

Opening the post and e-mailsSort the messages, answer simple requests and pass the rest to the right department.

09:30

Handling an orderEnter the order, check the customer's data and prepare the follow-up documents.

11:00

Tracking table in a spreadsheetUpdate a table of figures and check the calculations before sending it to the team.

13:30

Organising a meetingSet the date, invite the participants, book the room and prepare the documents.

15:00

Ordering suppliesCompare quotations and prepare an order for office equipment or services.

16:30

Filing and documentationTidy the files, respect data protection and note what remains to be done.

Technical skills

Office organisationWord processing, spreadsheetsOrder trackingBuying equipment and servicesCustomer relationsManagement monitoring

Personal qualities

Organisation skillsAccuracyCommunicationDiscretionTeam spirit

The training

How the Ausbildung works, year by year

In Germany you learn by working: this is the “dual system”. You are an employee of a company and a student at a vocational school (Berufsschule) at the same time.

3 to 4 days a week at the company

1–2 days school

Year 1

The basics

≈ €1,161gross / month

Office organisation
Information and office tools
Word processing and spreadsheets

Year 2

The processes

≈ €1,245gross / month

Customer relations and orders
Purchasing and personnel tasks
Final exam, part 1

Year 3

The electives

≈ €1,342gross / month

Two electives of 5 months
Steering and management monitoring
Final exam, part 2

Gross monthly pay during the training. Source: BIBB 2025, moyenne nationale, industrie et commerce. These are averages: they vary by region, sector and collective agreement.

Exams and qualification

The final exam is in two parts (gestreckte Abschlussprüfung). Part 1, in the 4th half-year, is a 120-minute office IT paper (25% of the mark). Part 2, at the end of training, has two written papers and a 20-minute interview on the chosen elective. You obtain the certificate from the IHK or the competent public body.

Requirements and prospects

Applying, then moving on

What you need to apply

Education levelBaccalaureate level is required.

German levelThe required level is B2. Good technical vocabulary for the trade is a real plus.

Physical fitnessAn office job, mostly sitting at a screen, with organisation and communication tasks throughout the day.

Documents to prepare

CV and cover letter in German
Translated baccalaureate diplomas and transcripts
German B2 level certificate

Where it can lead

Straight awaySkilled office clerkA post as assistant, secretary or administrative manager in a company or the public sector.

With experienceFachwirt, office and projectsFurther qualification at bachelor level, to run an office or coordinate projects.

Longer termTeam lead or assistantLead a team or assist management, with a recognised further qualification.

Already B2? Take action

Already have German level B2 and looking for a training contract?

Employers in the “Management, finance and administration” sector are currently looking for candidates in Africa on AZUFA.

Create your candidate profile, state your German level and the “Office management clerk (Kaufmann/Kauffrau für Büromanagement)” occupation: companies recruiting apprentices can find you, and we follow your application step by step.

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Your pathway with Campus Germany

We are by your side from day one until you arrive in Germany

Four steps to move forward, all run by our own structures.

Check my eligibility

Take the test

Online on our website, or directly at our Douala office.

Talk to an advisor

Talk to our team

Call us, an advisor will answer.

Germany+49 (0) 7033 694 18 80 Cameroon+237 622 20 81 64

Need assistance

Prepare your German

DZK, our language centre

Our own language centre, in Douala. Elsewhere: partner centres, call us.

See the courses

Get the contract

AZUFA is always us

Our platform connects you with German companies recruiting apprentices.

From German A1 to the first day of training in Germany

A pathway in a loopEach step is run by one of our structures. You keep the same contact from start to finish.

1
Check my eligibility
Campus Germany
2
Talk to an advisor
Campus Germany
3
Learn German, from A1 to B2
DZK
Douala: DZK centre. Elsewhere: partners
4
Prepare the application file
Campus Germany
5
Find the company and sign the training contract
AZUFA
It is always us
6
Prepare the visa and paperwork
Campus Germany
7
Prepare your departure and settling in
KAGEDEV e.V.
8
First day of training in Germany
AZUFA
It is always us

See the detail of the 8 steps

1. Check my eligibility (Campus Germany)
The test is done online on our website or at our Douala office.
2. Talk to an advisor (Campus Germany)
Review your profile, your wishes and the chosen occupation.
3. Learn German, from A1 to B2 (DZK)
Courses adapted to your starting level, up to the required B2 level. In Douala at our own language centre; elsewhere, with our partner centres.
4. Prepare the application file (Campus Germany)
CV and cover letter in German, translated baccalaureate diplomas and transcripts, B2 level certificate.
5. Find the company and sign the training contract (AZUFA)
We connect you with German companies that recruit apprentices, and follow your application through to the contract.
6. Prepare the visa and paperwork (Campus Germany)
Support to gather the documents and complete the administrative steps.
7. Prepare your departure and settling in (KAGEDEV e.V.)
Travel, housing and first steps in Germany: we prepare you before you leave.
8. First day of training in Germany (AZUFA)
You arrive prepared and supported, with a team that has known you since day one.

1
Check my eligibility
The test is done online on our website or at our Douala office.
Run by Campus Germany
2
Talk to an advisor
Review your profile, your wishes and the chosen occupation.
Run by Campus Germany
3
Learn German, from A1 to B2
Courses adapted to your starting level, up to the required B2 level. In Douala at our own language centre; elsewhere, with our partner centres.
Run by DZK · Douala: DZK centre. Elsewhere: partners
4
Prepare the application file
CV and cover letter in German, translated baccalaureate diplomas and transcripts, B2 level certificate.
Run by Campus Germany
5
Find the company and sign the training contract
We connect you with German companies that recruit apprentices, and follow your application through to the contract.
Run by AZUFA · It is always us
6
Prepare the visa and paperwork
Support to gather the documents and complete the administrative steps.
Run by Campus Germany
7
Prepare your departure and settling in
Travel, housing and first steps in Germany: we prepare you before you leave.
Run by KAGEDEV e.V.
8
First day of training in Germany
You arrive prepared and supported, with a team that has known you since day one.
Run by AZUFA · It is always us

Stay informed

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Our structures for this occupation

AZUFAOur platform for recruiting apprentices and skilled staff from Africa: matching with German companies through to the training contract.

Deutschzentrum KAGEDEV (DZK)Our own German language centre, in Douala. Outside Douala: partner centres.

Occupation brochure

Take this sheet with you

Two documents to read offline or show your family: the 5-page brochure (occupation, training, pay, pathway) and the one-page flyer with the essentials.

Occupation brochure

Occupation brochurePDF, 5 pagesDownload the brochure

Flyer

FlyerPDF, 1 A4 pageDownload the flyer

Frequently asked questions

You may be wondering…

What German level is required?

Level B2 is required. You do not need perfect German, but you must be able to follow lessons and understand safety instructions.

How long does the training last?

36 months, i.e. 3 years.

Am I paid during the training?

Yes. You receive a monthly pay throughout the training, and it generally increases each year.

Where can I take the eligibility test?

Online on our website, or directly at our Douala office.

Where can I learn German?

In Douala, at our language centre DZK. Elsewhere, at our partner language centres: call us to find the nearest one.

What are the two electives of the training?

With the employer you choose two electives of 5 months from ten areas, for example purchasing, marketing, personnel or administration. They are written into the training contract.

Can you do this training in the public sector?

Yes, the training also exists in public administration, where supplementary in-service instruction of about 420 hours goes alongside vocational school.

In the same category

Other trainings: Management, finance and administration

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Ready to find out whether this training is for you?

Take the test online or come and see us at the office. We are by your side from day one until you arrive in Germany.

Check my eligibility →Need assistance Write on WhatsApp

Germany+49 (0) 7033 694 18 80Cameroon+237 622 20 81 64

Douala office : Rond-point Maetur Bonamoussadi – Nice Cream building (4th floor), opposite the COGENI hardware store, Douala, Cameroon

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